2 Samuel 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel." For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

Bible > 2 Samuel > Chapter 17 > Verse 14

◄ 2 Samuel 17:14 ►

New International Version
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

New Living Translation
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the LORD had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!

English Standard Version
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

King James Bible
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

New King James Version
So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.

New American Standard Bible
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to foil the good advice of Ahithophel, in order for the LORD to bring disaster on Absalom.

NASB 1995
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom.

NASB 1977
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, in order that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that Yahweh might bring calamity on Absalom.

Amplified Bible
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD could bring disaster upon Absalom.

Christian Standard Bible
Since the LORD had decreed that Ahithophel’s good advice be undermined in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since the LORD had decreed that Ahithophel’s good advice be undermined in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”

American Standard Version
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For Jehovah had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Jehovah might bring evil upon Absalom.

Contemporary English Version
Absalom and the others liked Hushai's plan better than Ahithophel's plan. This was because the LORD had decided to keep Ahithophel's plan from working and to cause trouble for Absalom.

English Revised Version
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Absalom and all the people of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai from Archi's family is better than Ahithophel's advice." (The LORD had commanded Ahithophel's good advice to be defeated in order to ruin Absalom.)

Good News Translation
Absalom and all the Israelites said, "Hushai's advice is better than Ahithophel's." The LORD had decided that Ahithophel's good advice would not be followed, so that disaster would come on Absalom.

International Standard Version
Absalom and all of the Israelis replied, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel's!" But the LORD had planned to circumvent the sound advice of Ahithophel so the LORD could bring Absalom to destruction.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

NET Bible
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite sounds better than the advice of Ahithophel." Now the LORD had decided to frustrate the sound advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD could bring disaster on Absalom.

New Heart English Bible
Then Absalom and all Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the LORD had commanded that Ahithophel’s counsel should be defeated, so that that the LORD could bring Absalom to ruin.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

World English Bible
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Absalom says—and all the men of Israel, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel”; and YHWH willed to make void the good counsel of Ahithophel for the sake of YHWH’s bringing the calamity to Absalom.

Young's Literal Translation
And Absalom saith -- and all the men of Israel -- 'Better is the counsel of Hushai the Archite than the counsel of Ahithophel;' and Jehovah willed to make void the good counsel of Ahithophel for the sake of Jehovah's bringing unto Absalom the evil.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Absalom will say, and every man of Israel, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is good above the counsel of Ahithophel. And Jehovah commanded to frustrate the good counsel of Ahithophel so that Jehovah brought evil upon Absalom.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Absalom, and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel: and by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Achitophel was defeated, that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Absalom, with all the men of Israel, said: “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” So, by an act of the Lord, the useful counsel of Ahithophel was defeated, in order that the Lord might lead evil over Absalom.

New American Bible
Then Absalom and all the Israelites said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had commanded that Ahithophel’s good counsel should be thwarted, so that he might bring Absalom to ruin.

New Revised Standard Version
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring ruin on Absalom.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had decreed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel so that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Abishlum and all Israel said: “The counsel of Khushi the Arkite is better than the counsel of Akhithuphel!”, and LORD JEHOVAH commanded to nullify the good advice of Akhithuphel, because LORD JEHOVAH would bring evil against Abishlum

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said: 'The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.'--For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abessalom, and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Chusi the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel. For the Lord ordained to disconcert the good counsel of Achitophel, that the Lord might bring all evil upon Abessalom.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice
…13If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found.” 14Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 8:10
Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”

Job 5:12
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.

Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Isaiah 14:27
The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Acts 4:27-28
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Lamentations 3:37
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?

Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Treasury of Scripture

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil on Absalom.

the Lord

2 Samuel 15:31
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Exodus 9:16
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

appointed [heb] commanded

Psalm 33:9,10
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast…

Lamentations 3:37
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Amos 9:3
And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

to defeat

2 Samuel 15:34
But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

2 Samuel 16:23
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

Job 5:12-14
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise…

good counsel

Luke 16:8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

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2 Samuel 17

1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions

Berean Study Bible

So Absalom and all the men of Israel said
This phrase sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the narrative. Absalom, the son of King David, is in rebellion against his father. The phrase "all the men of Israel" indicates a collective decision-making process, reflecting the political and social dynamics of ancient Israel. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies a declaration or decision, highlighting the weight of the consensus reached by Absalom and his followers.

The counsel of Hushai the Archite
Hushai is described as "the Archite," indicating his lineage or place of origin, which is significant in understanding his role and influence. Hushai was a loyal friend to David, and his presence in Absalom's court was part of a strategic plan to counteract Ahithophel's advice. The Hebrew term for "counsel" (עֵצָה, 'etsah) suggests advice or strategy, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and discernment in leadership.

is better than the counsel of Ahithophel
Ahithophel was known for his wise counsel, and his advice was highly regarded, as seen earlier in the narrative. The comparison here underscores a divine intervention, as the Hebrew word for "better" (טוֹב, tov) often conveys goodness or superiority. This phrase highlights the turning point where human wisdom is contrasted with divine purpose.

For the LORD had purposed
This phrase introduces the divine element in the unfolding events. The Hebrew root for "purposed" (צָוָה, tsavah) implies a command or decree, indicating that the events were under God's sovereign control. This reflects a key theological theme in the Bible: God's will ultimately prevails over human plans.

to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel
The word "thwart" (פָּרַר, parar) in Hebrew means to break or frustrate, suggesting an active intervention by God. Despite Ahithophel's counsel being described as "good," it was not aligned with God's plan. This highlights the biblical principle that God's wisdom surpasses human understanding, and His purposes will be accomplished.

in order to bring disaster upon Absalom
The phrase "bring disaster" (רָעָה, ra'ah) indicates a divinely orchestrated outcome. Absalom's rebellion was against God's anointed king, David, and thus, his actions were contrary to God's covenantal promises. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will and the inevitable triumph of divine justice.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - The counsel of Hushai is better. It seemed safer. Nothing in it was left to chance, and Absalom, already at the head of such numbers as to be able to select from them twelve thousand picked men, saw himself, in fancy, marching forward with all Israel at his feet. As a matter of fact, he did advance with so large an army that David was saved only by the skilful strategy of Joab. Like other king makers, Ahithophel had put himself too forward. He asked for twelve thousand men to be placed under his command, that he might smite David, and so be, not only Absalom's counsellor, but also his commander-in-chief. Amasa and the other commanders would be displeased at this, and Absalom would feel that he was himself placed in a very secondary position. Ahithophel may have asked for the command solely because no one's presence would so ensure success as his own, but he wounded the vanity beth of Absalom and Amasa, and made them ready to listen to any other advice that might be offered. The Lord had appointed; literally, and Jehovah had commanded to bring to nought, etc. So plain did it seem to the writer that Absalom's success depended upon rapid action, that nothing less than the direct interference of the Divine providence could account for the infatuation of Absalom and his counsellors.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Absalom
אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙ (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the men
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

said,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The advice
עֲצַת֙ (‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of Hushai
חוּשַׁ֣י (ḥū·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2365: Hushai -- two Israelites

the Archite
הָאַרְכִּ֔י (hā·’ar·kî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 757: Archite -- a native of a place in Palestine

[is] better
טוֹבָ֗ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

than [that]
מֵעֲצַ֖ת (mê·‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of Ahithophel.”
אֲחִיתֹ֑פֶל (’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 302: Ahithophel -- an adviser of David

For the LORD
וַיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had purposed
צִוָּ֗ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

to thwart
לְהָפֵ֞ר (lə·hā·p̄êr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

the good
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה (haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

counsel
עֲצַ֤ת (‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of Ahithophel,
אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙ (’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 302: Ahithophel -- an adviser of David

in order to
לְבַעֲב֗וּר (lə·ḇa·‘ă·ḇūr)
Preposition-l, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5668: Crossed, transit, on account of, in order that

bring
הָבִ֧יא (hā·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

disaster
הָרָעָֽה׃ (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Absalom.
אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:14 Absalom and all the men of Israel (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)